Chris Bentley

In previous roles as the Minister of Labour, then Training, Colleges, Universities, and Attorney General and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Chris improved worker safety, strengthened student assistance, and made our justice system faster, more effective and more affordable.

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former minster Brad Duguid has been an advocate for affordable housing, emergency services, waste management, crime prevention, workers’ rights and youth for 16 years. As Ontario’s Minister of Energy, he is implementing the landmark Green Energy Act – critical components of the government’s Open Ontario Plan to create a new green economy for Ontario.

Duguid also had responsibility for Infrastructure from January 2010 to August 2010, overseeing historic investments that revitalized roads, bridges and other key community facilities while creating thousands of jobs right when the province needed them.

As Minister of Aboriginal Affairs from 2008 to 2010, Duguid worked at building relationships through agreements with a number of First Nations and Métis organizations, including the framework to transfer Ipperwash Park to the Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation. Uniting two of his passions – youth outreach and hockey – Duguid also brought PLAY to First Nations’ youth, a project that provides hockey coaching, mentoring and facilities to Aboriginal communities in the North.

Following his re-election in 2007, Duguid was appointed Minister of Labour, where he ensured job protection for military reservists and improved health and safety in the workplace. He also oversaw the creation of the new Family Day holiday, allowing Ontario families to spend quality time together.

Duguid was first elected as the MPP for the riding of Scarborough Centre in 2003, and was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In this capacity, he was active in the creation of the Greenbelt and the Residential Tenancies Act and devolution of the OMERS pension plan. He was also influential in the City of Toronto Act, improvements to the Municipal Act and restructuring of the Ontario Municipal Board and Planning Acts.

Duguid’s involvement in politics began over 23 years ago while working at Queen’s Park and at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. It was here that his interest in politics developed, making the move to elected office in 1994 as municipal councillor in the former City of Scarborough. Following amalgamation, Duguid was re-elected as a Toronto Councillor, during which time he chaired several committees and was instrumental in developing and implementing numerous key initiatives. Highlights of his accomplishments include his work to create new permanent shelter spaces for homeless individuals; improving fire and emergency services; implementation of the successful Green Bin organic waste program; drafting of the City’s crime prevention strategy; creating CityWatch; and developing a coordinated approach to address youth crime.

Minister Duguid remains active in his community, where he attends and hosts many events, including an annual safety showcase, green space clean-ups, winter fest and an annual community picnic.

Duguid, a University of Toronto graduate, lives in Scarborough with his wife Crystal and two children, Kennedy and Jordan.